The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) appreciates the opportunity of submitting the following to the National Electric Vehicle Strategy consultation paper.

The CCCLM consists of the Lord Mayors of Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and the Chief Minister of the ACT.  Together, we call on the Australian Government to coordinate and facilitate opportunities that contribute towards emissions reductions in cities, including electrification of transport, removal of barriers and provision of incentives for the take-up of electric vehicles.

Australia’s capital cities account for 70 per cent of the GDP and are the place of employment for more than 9 million Australians, and 2.3 million Australian businesses. As one of the worlds’ most urbanised nations, Australia’s capital cities are instrumental to the implementation of climate, transport and energy reform.

Stronger action on addressing transport related emissions is essential. Growth in the Australian road transport task has led to increased fuel consumption and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Whilst we acknowledge and welcome the policy direction on electric cars, this should be complementary to transport planning that seeks to shift reliance on private single occupancy vehicles and commuting mode-share to public transport and support active transport, reducing reliance on cars for inner city residents. Examples of these types of policy and infrastructure directions include transport-oriented development, walkable and rideable cities, separated cycleways, limits to car spaces in new developments, and encouraging car sharing schemes.

CCCLM submission National Electric Vehicle Strategy – Final 31 10 22